1910.102: Acetylene Cylinders, Piping and Generators
Employers must make sure in-plant transfer, handling, storage and use of acetylene cylinders follow CGA Pamphlet G-1-2009. Acetylene piped systems must follow Chapter 9 of NFPA 51A-2006, and facilities that generate acetylene or fill cylinders must follow NFPA 51A-2006, with older NFPA editions allowed for facilities the employer shows were installed or approved before February 16, 2006.
Key takeaways
- 1910.102 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $37,199 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (14), NY (4), NJ (2).
- Most-cited part: 1910.102(a) Cylinders (27 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.102, "Acetylene", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It has 10 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1910.102 (10 paragraphs)
(a) Cylinders. Employers must ensure that the in-plant transfer, handling, storage, and use of acetylene in cylinders comply with the provisions of CGA Pamphlet G-1-2009 (“Acetylene”) (incorporated by reference, see § 1910.6). Open (a) 27 citations
(b) Piped systems.
(1) Employers must comply with Chapter 9 (“Acetylene Piping”) of NFPA 51A-2006 (“Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants”) (National Fire Protection Association, 2006 ed., 2006).
(2) When employers can demonstrate that the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders were installed prior to February 16, 2006, these employers may comply with the provisions of Chapter 7 (“Acetylene Piping”) of NFPA 51A-2001 (“Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants”) (National Fire Protection Association, 2001 ed., 2001).
(3) The provisions of § 1910.102(b)(2) also apply when the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders were approved for construction or installation prior to February 16, 2006, but constructed and installed on or after that date.
(4) For additional information on acetylene piping systems, see CGA G-1.2-2006, part 3 (“Acetylene piping”) (Compressed Gas Association, Inc., 3rd ed., 2006).
(c) Generators and filling cylinders.
(1) Employers must ensure that facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) acetylene cylinders comply with the provisions of NFPA 51A-2006 (“Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants”) (National Fire Protection Association, 2006 ed., 2006).
(2) When employers can demonstrate that the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations used to generate acetylene or to charge (fill) of acetylene cylinders were constructed or installed prior to February 16, 2006, these employers may comply with the provisions of NFPA 51A-2001 (“Standard for Acetylene Charging Plants”) (National Fire Protection Association, 2001 ed., 2001).
(3) The provisions of § 1910.102(c)(2) also apply when the facilities, equipment, structures, or installations were approved for construction or installation prior to February 16, 2006, but constructed and installed on or after that date.
[74 FR 40447, Aug. 11, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 75786, Dec. 5, 2011]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 27 inspections cited 1910.102 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: CT (14), NY (4), NJ (2), IN (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| STEVENS EQUIPMENT SUPPLY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $12,747 |
| RAPID PALLET INC | JERMYN, PA | $4,500 |
| TOWNSHIP OF EWING - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | EWING, NJ | $4,500 |
| SIEMENS ENERGY, INC. | PAINTED POST, NY | $4,341 |
| LANDIS SEWERAGE AUTHORITY | VINELAND, NJ | $2,800 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.102.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.102(a) Cylinders 27 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What standard covers acetylene cylinders?
CGA Pamphlet G-1-2009 ("Acetylene") for in-plant transfer, handling, storage and use.
What covers acetylene piping?
Chapter 9 of NFPA 51A-2006, or Chapter 7 of NFPA 51A-2001 for facilities the employer shows were installed before February 16, 2006.
Does this cover filling cylinders?
Yes. Facilities that generate acetylene or charge cylinders must comply with NFPA 51A-2006, with older provisions allowed in the listed cases.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.102 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.